Children from 18 countries are preparing to converge on Doha for the 15th annual Al Bawasil camp for children with diabetes, being held this month by the Qatar Diabetes Association – Qatar Foundation. The children will learn about the latest medical information about managing diabetes, while making new friends from around the region in the process.
Maersk Oil Qatar has once again thrown its support behind the Al Bawasil camp at Aspire. A total of QR400,000 was raised to fund the camp by participants in the recent Maersk Oil and Qatar Petroleum (MOQP) Challenge event.
Dr Abdulla al-Hamaq, executive director of Qatar Diabetes Association – Qatar Foundation, said: “The efforts of the 27 teams that took part in the Maersk Oil and Qatar Petroleum Challenge in donating funds through registration fees, and the assistance of Maersk Oil Qatar in particular through its support for the challenge and also for Action on Diabetes, has been invaluable. The most vivid example of this will be the look of delight on the children’s faces during and after the Al Bawasil camp.”
The Al Bawasil camp, which runs for six days from January 31, is a safe and positive environment for children with Diabetes, to help them address the emotional and physical pain caused by diabetes, and to give them the confidence to reach their full potential. Doctors, nurses, nutritionists and social specialists will run educational sessions for the 75 children, in addition to fun physical
activities.
Lewis Affleck, managing director of Maersk Oil Qatar, said: “Diabetes is one of Qatar’s greatest health challenges. That is why the Al Bawasil Children’s camp is so important. Maersk Oil Qatar is delighted to support such initiatives as part of our commitment to meaningful programmes, aligned to the Qatar National Vision 2030. During the past 20 years Maersk Oil Qatar has become specialists in operating one of the most complex fields in the world – the Al Shaheen field – which produces around a third of Qatar’s daily oil production. But we also aim to make a broader contribution to society through our support for partnerships like Action on Diabetes which, among other results, screened over 17,000 people in Qatar for Diabetes last year alone.”
The MO&QP Challenge in November last year saw some 150 people from 27 teams representing private and government organisations in Qatar take to the desert to compete and raise money for the Al Bawasil camp. Teams completed five demanding stages over two days. For the first time, challenges included both mountain biking and kayaking, as well as orienteering by GPS, completing construction projects, navigating in the desert at night and solving challenging team problems to promote problem solving and develop team skills. All activities at the MOQP Challenge were themed around diabetes and promoted healthy lifestyles, demonstrating the benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining healthy fitness level, balanced diet and stopping smoking.
Children participate in last year’s 14th annual Al Bawasil Camp.
